Preliminary estimates reported by the Labor Market Information (LMI) division of the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.9% in February. This is unchanged from 3.9% in January and an increase from 3.8% in February 2025. The labor force participation rate for Kansas decreased to 67.8% in February, according to a media release from the KDOL.
The unemployment rate in Geary County remained steady from to 5.2 percent in January to 5.3 percent in February. The rate is also relatively unchanged in Riley, Wabaunsee and Pottawatomie counties.
Seasonally adjusted job estimates for Kansas indicate total nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 3,800 from January. Total nonfarm includes private sector and government employers. Private sector jobs decreased by 2,200 over the month, while government decreased by 1,600. The largest job gains in the private sector were in leisure and hospitality (+800 jobs). The largest decrease was in trade, transportation, and utilities (-1,800 jobs).
Since February 2025 Kansas’ seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs have increased by 1,100. This change is due to an increase of 1,300 private sector jobs and a decrease of 200 government jobs.
Technical Note:This release includes nonfarm jobs and labor force estimates for February 2026, which are produced using data from two monthly surveys. Data for nonfarm job estimates is collected through a survey of employers while the main input for labor force estimates is a survey of households. Data collected for this report references the week including February 12.